[Musing] Past // Present // Future // Are You Looking Forward To 2016?

Looking back at the last post of 2014 here, we managed to pull off all that were mentioned then except learn dancing (ooopss!). On this final day of 2015, what is going through your head? Have you accomplished what you were set out to do for this year? Are you anything but excited to embrace the new year of 2016?

2015 has been quite a year for LUMINNEJ, having the opportunity to collaborate with new brands, creating new friendships along the way and we have come to realize one thing - trust the timing of life. We try to be not too caught up with trying hard to reach out or approach brands. Let it be, perhaps when the right time comes, those brands on our wish list will find their way here. Some will come, others may leave, but hey, we are still here. This is a space for creativity and our own explorations. Our voice is as equally important as trying to allow brands to be seen here, if not, more so. 

This coming new year, we are looking forward to less frantic, more selective collaborations, more "me time" to allow LUMINNEJ to be who we would love to be. We have come to believe in the notion that, "We don't necessarily need to have or own all the things that we love", it is the appreciation that counts. 

A few things remain - horning into our photography skills, learn to "see" things in a different manner or find ways to present our view point differently, working on creating meaningful content, writing, enjoying every moment of crafting the words, the visuals, most of all, we feel, we must do everything with intention - a purposeful one. 

We do look forward to one new thing though, that is to step out more, to travel and explore a bigger world out there for LUMINNEJ, and hopefully, be able to share those memorable experiences with you here. That would be one of the dreams we hope to achieve for this coming brand new year of 2016! Of course, last but not least, we would love to send our love out to all of you who have come with us on our journey of exploration thus far. We sure hope to see you back here again next year, tomorrow in fact, haha *_^ Thanks for an awesome 2015, lovelies *_^ 

All visuals via LUMI's pinterest here. Makeup items | Watch in white | Trust in time | Girl at beach | Pink petals | Vintage typewriter | Progress not perfection | Girl with camera | White and jeans | Beach front

Have a magnificent count down to the new year, stay safe (guess most likely you won't be reading this but rather spending your night watching fireworks?) and happy, always! See you on the other side of the calendar *_^

With love, 

Jeann

M.A.C AW2015 Trends: Love Worn & Red 70s

After sharing with you the two trends of M.A.C Autumn/Winter 2015 previously here, it is time to wrap up the year with the remaining two makeup trends for this season - namely the Love Worn and Red 70s by makeup giant, M.A.C Cosmetics. "Everything is a signature this season!" declares Val Garland of this varied crew. Time to widen your makeup horizon, diversity is for all.

The Red 70s
This season the rouged lip moves closer to Woodstock than Hollywood. As brick-y retro reds take over from classic Russian hues, rust, bordeaux, wine, burgundy, ochre, caramel, tobacco, cognac, aubergine, whether velvet or vinyl in texture, these dark warm lips exude a sophistication that references everything from porcelain pre-Raphaelite to the chic side of the 70s, and are "cool-er and less 'lady' than traditional red," says Van Garland.

Have An Exceptionally Thankful 2015 Christmas!

On this beautiful day of the season and the joyous time of the year, may we wish you a very Merry Merry Christmas and a Happy Happy New Year! We would love to take this opportunity to thank all the brands who have supported LUMINNEJ this year, the new found friends whom we have met or made along the way, you, yes you, out there who have been dropping by, reading, writing, sharing your thoughts and words of kind encouragement, most of all, your willingness to invest your precious TIME here with us, as we grow, another year. 

For without you, this journey would have been less colourful, less fun and most of all, less meaningful and a little lonely. We THANK YOU and we wish you the best of everything in your life, for the coming new year of 2016, from the very bottom of our heart. Enjoy this day with this song picked out especially for you, lovelies *_^

With love, 

Jeann

Holiday Series 2015 | Jo Malone Christmas Mischief

The world of Jo Malone London is new to us and this British brand came to us at the right timing. Perhaps it was a little mischief at work or maybe it was just a little sprinkle of magic. Whichever it may be, it is definitely looking like a #HappyKissmas to us this year with Jo Malone London (here for more).

This Christmas, Jo Malone London is celebrating this special occasion with a party atmosphere. We absolutely adore their advertising campaign, that entire 1950s vibe when men would suit up in sharp looking suits and women would pay extra attention to their feminine side and would truly dress up in pretty dresses, looking incredibly sensual and pretty for that special occasion - glamorous and fabulous in the most beautiful way. 

We had the pleasure to be invited to the brand's Suria KLCC boutique opening recently. With their spacious and well designed boutique, how could we not swoon over this new brightly lit store upon our arrival? It was as if we had stepped into an imaginative space transcended by time, simply because of the culmination and fusion of wondrous scents within the new store that brought us into that world of bespoke luxury, timeless and elegant, but always infused with a charming dash of wit and whimsy. Little did we know that we were about to experience one of our most memorable events of the year, truly.

Holiday Series 2015 | L'Occitane x Pierre Hermé

A marriage of style and substance, a perfect union of the world of scent and the universe of taste, this is of course, like no other, indeed. We are, totally mesmerized by this unique collaboration between the founder of L'Occitane, Olivier Baussan and the "Picasso of Pastry", nicknamed by Vogue magazine, the pastry chef Pierre Hermé and close friend of Olivier for 20 years. 

The result of this close working relationship is one festive Christmas collection that ignites the senses, a line of cosmetics with delicate perfumes, as delicate as the balance of love for plants on one hand, and the tastes of an epicurean on the other. It is the tribute to the Corsican and Mediterranean landscapes, which both these talented artisans and creators love so much. We had the privilege to experience and savour such wondrous moments and sample some of the scents, while enjoying a perfect luncheon courtesy of L'Occitane and Melvita Malaysia previously. Come and discover what L'Occitane has to offer this gifting time of the year, and for a limited time only. Hurry! 

Burberry Prorsum SS16 | The Functionregalia Collection

This is our first time hearing the word, Functionregalia (pardon our ignorance) and upon a little research discovered that it was quite an apt one, which is, we feel, for this new Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2016 collection premiered some time back at the custom-built venue at London's Kensington Gardens, one that we could only declare that it truly captured our hearts.

The word "regalia" is defined as the distinctive clothing worn and ornaments carried at formal occasions as an indication of status. So, simply put, it has that whole royal touch or status to it, we feel. So for us, Burberry's Functionregalia could perhaps mean functional pieces with a royal touch to them or wearable luxurious pieces? Interesting concept indeed.

Holiday Series 2015 | Innisfree, A Green Christmas

This holiday season and Christmas celebration, the natural Jeju Korean skincare and makeup brand, INNISFREE brings us gift ideas that are in line with the spirit of "Make. Enjoy. Share", one that could most definitely make anyone smile in delight and joy. We were pleased that our favourite Korean brand actually hand-delivered some of the limited-edition gift sets right into our hands not too long ago, and here we are, to share the love with you and in hope that, it will give you some ideas what to get for your loved ones, or even yourself, for that matter! Why not, just for that special occasion and to reward yourself with the hard work that you have put in all year long. Let's have a Merry Green Christmas, shall we?

[Inspiration] December Mood 19.12.2015

Time seems to slip away too fast, it is almost another year, coming to an end, closing the chapter, but receiving a brand new one, very soon. December was like a blink of an eye, too much to do, especially this week. Not connected, it makes it the more harder to be around here. Currently, feeling this sort of mood for things around us.

We always wish we had more. More time, more space, more things, more comfort, more this and that, perhaps the coming year, we can make a wish list to have less. Less busy, less worries, less frantic?

All visuals via LUMI's Pinterest here. How have your week been so far? Busy preparing for Christmas and the holidays ahead? Whatever it may be, be happy and luminously beautiful, lovelies *_^

With love, 

Jeann

Holiday Series 2015 | Melvita Christmas Novelties, Naturally

Merry Christmas from nature! That is this season's holiday greetings from this organic French skincare and beauty brand, Melvita. We have been enjoying some naturally derived and made skincare products from Melvita this year and we have come to enjoy and love them partly because they are organic, or ingredients sourced from organic farming. We had the pleasure to be invited to a luncheon (which we revealed a little here) and were let into what are hitting the Melvita and L'Occitane stores in Malaysia for this festive giving season, just around the corner. It was a beautifully crafted event and a pleasantly joyful occasion. Let's take a look at some of the offerings, shall we?

Style Crush | Jessi Malay of My White T

Could we say sensual is a state of mind and sexy is a state of looking the part? We stumbled upon this stylish looking Los Angeles born and bred singer, fashion beauty blogger and entrepreneur personality's space some time back. Yes, we have to admit, we were captivated by her super sexy silhouette, then the beautiful photography work on her blog, and her fashion style. We feel she epitomizes what we think a sexy woman is, that beach-perfect body and having the boldness to flaunt it in a way that it plays to her perfect advantage, in a tasteful manner and approach. Always chic and polished, but never overly explicit, and definitely pleasing to the eyes, that is crucial. She is our Style Crush this time around - Miss Jessi Malay from My White T.

Can you believe that she started performing since 2 years old? By the time Jessi was 8, she was already touring the world and performing at major venues across the country and the world. An intimate interview with the fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg and a trip to New York Fashion week cemented her love for the fashion world, and like most people say, the rest is history.